Triduum

Question: I haven’t attended Triduum services before. What happens that’s different from a normal Sunday Mass?

Answer: The liturgies during Holy Week are unique and rich in symbolism. The Mass for Palm Sunday follows the pattern of the day 2,000 years ago when Jesus entered Jerusalem. It includes a Gospel reading outside the church building and the entrance of the priest into the sanctuary while the congregation waves palms.

The Holy Thursday Mass also follows the rhythm of the ancient Last Supper. The presider washes the feet of members of the congregation, like Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. After Mass, all remaining hosts are taken to an altar of repose, where adoration of the Blessed Sacrament occurs late into the night. Parishioners can remain like the disciples in Gethsemane, asked to “watch and pray.”

On Good Friday, we celebrate another special liturgical service. Following the Liturgy of the Word, there is a communal reverencing of the cross. The intercessions are solemn and include prayers for many different groups of people, reminding us that Jesus’ passion is for the whole world. There is no Liturgy of the Eucharist. Hosts consecrated on Holy Thursday are distributed, after which the tabernacle is empty. The tabernacle remains empty through Holy Saturday — just as Jesus departed from this earthly world in death — and we wait in hope for Easter Sunday!

©LPi